My wife and I just picked up our first firearm tonight. We have two children in the home, and many of our friends have children.

We were also asked tonight by a family to watch their kids overnight next week.

So, we raised the question to each other... do we tell people that we have a gun in the house? It's in a locked safe and very secure.

But, is there a common courtesy to let people know (especially if we are watching their kids) that we are gun owners? I feel like I would respect someone if they showed care in letting me know. However, seeing how sensitive a subject guns can be, and people's very passionate views one way or another...

Wondering what you all think. Better left unsaid? A respectful gesture of trust?

That is a very tough question, indeed. I say don't say anything. Are you going to tell them you have a big butcher's knife in the kitchen? Are you going to point out the coffee table has a sharp edge? Are you going to bring up that if you need to drive them somewhere there's a possibility you could be in a car crash?

That is a tough one for me, though. Most of my life I was afraid of guns and was pretty darned anti-gun. I did worry that my kids were going to other's homes to play and they very possibly had guns in those homes. I live in a pretty rural town and guns are a pretty common thing around here. I did tell my children to never touch a gun if they ever saw one in someone else's home. I never asked the other parents if they had guns in their homes, though. I know in my home my guns are always securely locked up. My daughter flipped when I got a gun. She actually cried and said she was afraid to let my granddaughter come over. I showed her the Gun Vault I have and told her to try to open it. Of course, she couldn't. It's the kind with the 4 finger keypad. I also told her I love my granddaughter more than I can ever express and I would never endanger her with my guns. Now, 3 years later, the subject never comes up.

__________________Honor Student: School of Hard KnocksTo the world you may be one person, but to one person you may be the world.Quando Omni Flunkus Moritatus

Follow your conscience. Utimately that is you and your wifes decision. You have stated that it is kept in a safe manner. As winds said, "are you going to tell them about the large knife in the kitchen also".

personally, if it's locked up and secure, then there is no danger to anyones child or adult for that matter, i really don't think it's anyones business but yours.

^^^^THIS^^^^
You're responsible to make sure other curious eyes and hands do not have the opportunity to accidently find or touch them. No need to tell otherwise unless they ask, as there should be no concerns since it will be locked up or on your person when you have other kids in your house.